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Portugal and Spain discuss the creation of the Iberian League

The presidents responsible for administering the top divisions in both Spain and Portugal have met to discuss the possibility of creating an Iberian League.

A statement released by the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP) said that president Pedro Proenca and his delegation met his Spanish counterpart Javier Tebas in Madrid and that the meeting was considered ‘a first step’ to creating a joint league in the next four years.

A spokesperson for the LPFP told AS that the existing leagues would not be merged and that a new competition would be created, but the finer details are still under discussion. The source added that the aim of the league would be to expose Portuguese clubs to a bigger audience as well as increased revenue streams.

The meeting between Proenca and Tebas took place this morning, and the LPFP said it was to “strengthen ties and develop future initiatives in an unprecedented alliance” between the two organisations.

The idea of creating an Iberian league has been considered in the past, with rumours circulating back when Portugal and Spain decided to bid jointly to host the 2018 World Cup, which eventually went to Russia.

From all the reports so far, it seems that the Portuguese are pushing for the creation of an Iberian League, and it is unclear whether the LFP actually agree with the idea. An Iberian Cup would certainly make interesting viewing, but a league would perhaps be a step too far, with numerous problems bound to come up (e.g. Champions League and Europa League qualification).

No incentives for La Liga and Spanish teams to participate, really. Even though they said they won't touch the existing leagues and teams, I don't see a combined league of like 40 teams or something. Some teams will lose out and they will not be happy.